ABSTRACT
In Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber is attempting to answer several questions, some of which are academic and some of which are moral. Debt is considered important because the book pulls together the academic ideas behind the activism. The debate continues between those who want to change the treatment of debt within the framework of capitalism, and those who want to rethink capitalism altogether. In Europe, there has been an extended struggle between nations over austerity budgets. Conflict including riots in Greece over plans to reduce spending and raise taxes have led to a belief among many politicians and economists that austerity is politically unsustainable as a solution to financial turmoil. At the same time, the activist movements have lost momentum because of an inability to organize themselves around a clear platform.
